Mucci to speak on state of city

October 23, 2012

STEUBENVILLE - Mayor Domenick Mucci will list a number of business investments that have been made in the community during the past year during his second-annual state of the city address set for 6:30 p.m. today in the main lecture hall at Eastern Gateway Community College.

Mucci is expected to discuss the "great strides the city has made in our continuing efforts to be transparent and open" and the challenges city leaders faced as they entered 2011.

Mucci also will tout ongoing collaboration efforts to grow the local economy and to create a more efficient local government.

"All city residents are encouraged to attend the state of the city address this evening and then urged to stay for the regular council meeting to see how city government works," he noted.

Mucci said the state of the city address was moved to this week to coincide with a citywide campaign to renew a 5-mill real estate levy.

"This levy renewal was first initiated in the early 1960s and has been renewed every five years since it was first offered to our city voters for their consideration. The levy has been and remains based on real estate valuations from the early 1960s. This levy raises $575,000 a year for the city's general fund and accounts for approximately 5 percent of the general fund budget," explained City Manager Cathy Davison.

"I will be discussing the various activities and accomplishments in the city," said Mucci.

Highlights of the mayor's speech will include a review of city departments including:

Law Director S. Gary Repella, who has initiated the prosecution of 1,154 misdemeanour cases and 295 felony cases.

The finance office, which received a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting for the completion of the city's first comprehensive annual financial report by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

The police department, which always strives to maintain excellence in its service to the citizens and the business community, according to officials.

The retirement of former fire Chief Terri English and the promotion of 20-year fire department veteran Carlo Capaldi to the chief's job.

The health department that has developed an action plan to preserve core services while collaborating with community partners to meet other public needs.

The writing of a new comprehensive plan for the city through the urban projects office.

Management of 76 projects by the city engineer's office that resulted in millions of dollars of investments in the city.

The completion of several fiber optic projects for the city and the county through collaboration by the maintenance and repair department.

Continued upgrades in the city's water delivery system and wastewater treatment plant.

A number of programs provided by the parks and recreation department.

The implementation of alternative sentencing including house arrest, community service and a resentencing program, which is a savings for the city.

"One of the strong points in our local government is the transparency of our City Council and administration. People appreciate the fact the council is in tune with the community. I hope to see many members of our community at tonight's state of the city address and council meeting," said Mucci.